enVisioning Success

Cutting Costs and Getting Rid of Waste [Ep. 41]

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia dish about marketing career drama and share five tips for cutting costs within your organization’s functions and strategies. Our hosts put their culling-hats on and discuss areas within organizations which can be ripe for minimization, discount or retirement, such as supply, utility and energy budgets, ad spending and software and subscription services. When it comes to running a business, we understand that chaos can consume, so let us lay out the exact things to look for to streamline your organization!
Takeaways: 1 - Check all your costs and budgeting for savings opportunities.2 - Invest in strategies, software and employees who can streamline and simplify your work.3 - Maintain strong and clear communication with all suppliers.4 - Ensure you are taking opportunities to save or conserve energy and other utilities. 5 - Review your ad and marketing budget for ineffectiveness, and cut down when it is identified. 
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction02:13 - Anecdote #1: The Over-Spender04:21 - Suggestion #1: Check for extraneous costs04:52 - Anecdote #2: Who’s spending your money?06:52 - Suggestion #2: Make the work simpler!10:33 - Suggestion #3: Communicate with your suppliers!15:10 - Suggestion #4: Save energy!17:13 - Suggestion #5: Reevaluate Ad spending22:09 - Conclusion
 

Making the Decision: Agency or Internal? [Ep. 40]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss the decision-making process between hiring an agency or hiring internally for marketing needs. They provide five actionable tips to help make this decision: conducting a thorough needs assessment, creating a pros and cons list, consulting with stakeholders, considering trial periods and evaluations, and preparing for flexibility. They emphasize the importance of gathering diverse perspectives and ensuring alignment with broader business strategies. They also mention resources like SCORE and the Center for Women and Enterprise for support and guidance. The episode concludes with a reminder that the decision is not set in stone and that a hybrid approach can be successful.
 
Takeaways
1 - Conduct a thorough needs assessment to evaluate marketing needs, budget, and long-term goals.
2 - Create a detailed pros and cons list for both hiring an agency and hiring internally.
3 - Consult with stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives and ensure alignment with broader business strategies.
4 - Consider trial periods and evaluations to gauge the effectiveness of an agency or internal hire.
5 - Prepare for flexibility and consider a hybrid approach that leverages both internal resources and external agencies.
 
Sign up for our newsletter here!
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
01:28 - Suggestion #1: Conduct a thorough needs assessment
02:43 - Suggestion #2: Pros and Cons List
03:49 - Suggestion #3: Consult with stakeholders
06:26 - Suggestion #4: Trial Periods and Evaluations to gauge effectiveness
08:53 - Suggestion #5: Prepare for Flexibility
11:05 - Conclusion

When Hiring Internally Makes Sense [Ep. 39]

In this episode, Laura and Julia suggest five organizational elements that pair well with internal  marketing services and teams, as opposed to an external agency. Our ever-objective hosts discuss how certain organizational preferences and strategies, such as a need for long term internal capabilities, firm control, and close integration, as well as considerations of long term cost considerations and cultural fit, can often be better served in-house, within an organization’s own marketing department. Listen in to know if your organization needs to ditch the agency — even one as wonderful as Vision! —  and forge its own (marketing) path!
Takeaways: Internal marketing may be right for your organization if…
1 - You have a need for high control and close integration
2 - You have a need for industry specific experience
3 - You have a need for long-term internal capabilities
4 - Internal marketing is cheaper for you in the long-term
5 - Your industry culture and commitment would function better with an internal team
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction
02:06 - Reason #1: High need for control and close integration
04:40 - Reason #2: Need for industry specific expertise
07:13 - Reason #3: Need for long term internal capabilities
08:51 - Reason #4: Long Term Cost Considerations
10:28 - Reason #5: Cultural Fit and Commitment
13:46 - Conclusion

The Benefits of Partnering with a Marketing Agency [Ep. 38]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss some advantages organizations can reap when they partner with an established and compatible marketing agency. Our hosts discuss five areas of the marketing process an agency can help improve and grow, including risk and regulation compliance, tools and technologies, and Return On Investment metrics. With this in-depth analysis, informed by over two decades of experience, you can be confident in understanding how a partnership with an agency can benefit you and your organization. 
Takeaways: 
1 - Agencies provide a variety of experience and specialized skills
2 - You should consider your access to advanced tools and technologies
3 - Focus on ROI and avoid spaghetti marketing
4 - Consider scaleability solutions
5 - Consider risk and compliance management and regulations 
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:03 - Tip #1: Agencies provide a variety of experience and specialized skills
10:54 - Tip #2: Consider advanced/latest tools and technologies
15:50:14 -Tip #3: Focus on Return On Investment, avoid spaghetti marketing
20:48 - Tip #4: Scalable Solutions
22:45 - Tip #5: Consider risk and compliance management and regulations 
24:18 - Conclusion

Choosing Between Hiring Internally and Engaging an Agency [Ep. 37]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss the pros and cons organizations and professionals must weigh when deciding between internal marketing and an external agency. Our hosts name their top topics to consider when evaluating which option will help you best serve your clients and customers, including scalability, your control preferences and need for specialized skills, and the implications of cost and budget. Armed with these invaluable tips, you can be confident you’ll make the right choice for your marketing!
 
Takeaways: 
Evaluate you organization’s goals
Consider cost implications of marketing
Consider your managerial control preferences
Consider your scalability and flexibility preferences
Consider the necessity for specialized skills
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:56 - Tip #1: Evaluate your goals before deciding
07:26 - Tip #2: Consider the cost implications
12:09 -Tip #3: Consider control preferences
14:34 - Tip #4: Consider Scalability
16:42 - Tip #5: Consider Specialized skills
21:43 - Conclusion

Spotting the Posers: Red Flags in Marketing Service Offers [Ep. 36]

In this episode, Laura and Julia dish on the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad red flags you may encounter from potential marketing agencies (or, of course, “agencies”). They name their top five harbingers of marketing danger, so you can make sure your next partner is effective and legitimate. These dangers include when agencies guarantee specific results, avoid probing questions, use high pressure sales tactics, or suggest “cookie cutter” strategies. With you and your organization keeping a lookout for these serious red flags, you can rest easy knowing your next marketing partner is the real deal!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not guarantee specific results, statistics or outcomes.
2 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency will be transparent about their work and experience.
3 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not use “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
4 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not use high pressure sales tactics.
5 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency communicates clearly, and answers questions to the best of their ability.
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:29 - Red Flag #1: Guaranteed Results
07:24 - Red Flag #2: Lack of Transparency
09:55 - Red Flag #3: “One-size-fits-all” Approaches
12:59 - Red Flag #4: High Pressure Sales Tactics
16:08 - Red Flag #5: Poor Communication
16:56 - Red Flag #5.5: Incomplete Communication
19:27 - Conclusion

Aligning with Marketing Services: Like, Fit and Budget [Ep. 35]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss valuable, logical tips and recommendations you can use when managing your organization’s marketing strategy. They lay out five actionable suggestions in order to ensure the marketing service you choose makes sense, and can do what you need it to do! These suggestions include directly discussing the proposal with the agency, establishing a personal connection, understanding if they understand your business, ensuring the agency is able to identify and connect with your ideal customer, and speaking frankly on money and budget. With these simple but effective suggestions, organizations and professionals can secure the marketing partnership of their dreams!
Takeaways: 1 - A marketing partner should understand your ideal client2 - You should enjoy working with a potential marketing partner3 - A marketing partner should understand your goals and strategies4 - You should discuss the upcoming strategy and details with a potential marketing partner5 - You and your marketing partner should be comfortable discussing budget and money
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:34 - Tip #1: Do they know your ideal customer?
04:03 - Tip #2: Do you even like them?
 07:47 - Tip #3: Do they understand?
09:10  - Tip #4: Do you agree on strategy and proposal?
11:21   - Tip #5: Did you talk about the money?
14:51 - Conclusion

Identifying the Perfect Match: Aligning Services with Business Needs [Ep. 34]

Exploring how to ensure a marketing service is not just competent, but also a perfect fit for your specific business needs and culture.
 
Takeaways
1 - Match Services to Your Marketing Gaps: Clearly identify your internal capabilities and look for services that fill the gaps, rather than overlap with what you already do well.
2 - Consider the Scale: Ensure the agency or service can scale with you. A good partner will be able to support your growth, not hinder it.
3 - Evaluate Cultural Fit: The best collaborations come from shared values and understanding. Discuss their company culture and values to see if they align with yours.
4 - Seek Customization: Beware of cookie-cutter solutions. A good service provider should offer tailored strategies that fit your unique market position and goals.
5 - Ask About Their Learning Process: A dedicated service will want to learn about your product or service in-depth. Their commitment to understanding your business is a good sign of a match.
 
Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here!
Sign up for our newsletter here!
 
Check out our Socials and Blog!
Visit the Vision Blog
Our LinkedIn
Our Instagram
Our YouTube
Our Facebook
 
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Tip #1: Match the gaps.
06:25 - Tip #1.5: Don’t do it all yourself.
10:15 - Tip #2: Changing with you
16:55 - Tip #3: Culture and value fit
21:45 - Tip #4: Seek customization
24:49 - Banter Break! Preach the word of good marketing!
25:54 - Tip #5: Ask after the learning process.
27:17 - Conclusion